BASA celebrate 2016
This weekend saw the 2016 end of season awards evening held at Cutters Wharf. After the horrific weather of the previous 24 hours (which, lets face it, was fairly reflective of the conditions of some of the game days during the summer), the members of the Belfast American Sports Association gathered on a cool evening overlooking the Lagan river to celebrate and reflect on the past few months.
The evening began with a welcome to the members of Buccaneers baseball, praise on their 2016 season and a hearty congratulations on the continuing (and growing) success of the Ulster Open Championship.
Awards were handed out to Jake and Georgia Rosbotham for a fully deserved fans of the year. Heather Rosbotham was also justifiably honoured for her continued dedication. Evan Cusick was rewarded for his consistency in 2016. The ever-improving Chris Barr was commended was for his pitching prowess and the club MVP was given to the rock-solid Darwin Sanchez.
Unfortunately injuries to key personnel limited the Buccaneers run this year, reflected head coach Jose Santos, but they look forward to having a healthy team next season.
Razorbacks football was the next to be honoured, and with many of the players and coaches in attendance, the special teams, offensive, defensive and overall MVPs were honoured. Unfortunately there was no award for sharpest dressed on the evening, as one particular member of the Hogs (kilt, sporran and all) would have walked it. Rumours continue unsubstantiated on if he was dressed fully traditionally.....
It was then the turn of the Belfast Angels to be honoured. Two popular winners of the most improved awards were Amy Simpson and Jason Scott and the special commendation of the Coach's award was given to the consistent and dedicated Shane Hanna. Rewarding another solid season at second base, Sinead Shackley was awarded the female MVP for the second year and it was another of last year's winners (and the freshly anointed Male co-MVP of Softball Ulster) Melvin Woods who collected the male MVP award.
Finally to the 2016 Baseball Ireland B league champion Belfast Northstars; in another wildly popular decision, Christopher Shields was awarded the Rookie of the Year honour. Manager Sean Shackley then handed out his Coach's Award, praising Gordon Lafferty for his efforts all season long. Unsurprisingly, Melvin Woods was selected as the unanimous Most Valuable Player award for the second straight year.
An unsuspected presentation then followed, Shackley and fellow BASA committee member John McKee taking centre stage to present Neil Boyd with a signed photo commemorating the 2016 championship.
The final speaker on the evening was Baseball Ireland President Peter Kavanagh who had graciously travelled north for the evening. Kavanagh spoke of his pride on how baseball has grown in Belfast and also added his praise to the success of the Ulster Open.
After a sneak preview of the Baseball Ireland awards this coming weekend (Melvin Woods probably should invest in a larger trophy cabinet), the evening's presentations were brought to a close with a final toast to all of those who had shown such drive and dedication all year.
With Cutter's Wharf providing a fantastic spread, ties were loosened and war stories were shared for the rest of the evening.
Here's to the next twelve months.
